60 seconds with Luisa Diaz Perez

6 September 2018

Luisa Diaz Perez, risk manager, maternity at Barnet Hospital.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background?

I was raised in Valencia (Spain), where my family lives and I qualified as a general nurse in 2006. In 2009 I decided to start my big adventure and I moved to the UK to work as a nurse at Hinchingbrooke hospital.

After a year working as a nurse I decided to try my luck and apply for a student midwife post in the UK. I was really lucky and got a place with Hertfordshire University and a placement at Barnet Hospital. I trained as a midwife in Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital and was rotated around the two units to gain more experience. In 2014 I got my first band 7 role as a specialist coding midwife, and in 2015 become a midwife coordinator. In 2016 I decided to move and try a new challenge as a risk manager.

Tell us about your role…

As a risk manager I make sure that every incident is reported on Datix and reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), so we can learn from our incidents and try to improve the service and care we provide to our women and their babies. I organise teaching sessions, panels to review any incidents and I write reports for the incidents. I also liaise with the families.

An incident is any event which could potentially, or has, caused harm to a patient or member of staff – physically or psychologically.

Can you describe an average week?

Crazy! Every day and every week is completely different and unexpected. That is one of the greatest things of our work that, you can never plan everything. I usually come in in the morning and talk to the staff around to get information regarding any incident, I feedback anything that might have come up from any reported incidents.

I ensure everything is recorded on Datix. I prepare MDT panels, invite staff, send paperwork and prepare draft reports.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Being able to listen to people’s concerns and talking to all of them. Feeling helpful is always really rewarding.

What’s the best thing a patient has ever said to you?

I had a really lovely patient about six years ago that I will never forget. I was there for her at a really difficult time and for her, that meant the world. She published a nice article and named me as her guardian angel.  I can’t explain how that feels.

What’s your greatest achievement?

I came to the UK from Spain, not speaking the language fluently; to a city I’d never been to before, to take a risk on a job. I’m proud of myself for taking a risk and leaving my friends and family behind.

Who’s influenced your career most (and why)?

I don’t think I can name only one individual. I have worked and I am working with really amazing people. They show me the true meaning of our job and how important it is. But if I can mention anyone I would definitely say my family−they have pushed me and supported me during the difficult times far away from home.

What would be your perfect day away from work?

Anything that keeps my brain busy, a lovely beach and lots of sun…

What can’t you live without?

I would love to say chocolate but really I would say family, friends, and music.

Tell us something about you that very few people know…

If I hadn’t become a midwife I might have probably tried my luck as a soap opera actress!